Ukrainian Tipping Protocol, Ukrainian Gratuities, & Ukrainian Culture

Clothing

• DO dress formally for business situations. Men should wear suits with a white shirt and women should wear a suit or dress.
• DON'T wear shorts unless camping or hiking.
• DON'T wear shorts and a t-shirt if going to a church, theater, concert, or an upscale restaurant.
• DON'T wear sneakers unless partaking in sports.
• DON'T wear a hat at a church, home, office, or restaurant.

Food/Drinks

• DO partake in toasts. Toasting is a very important part of Ukraine's social culture.
• DO be prepared with an excuse if you don't drink. If you don't drink alcohol, blame it on an medical problem. Ukrainians can sometimes be suspicious of people who don't drink.
• DON'T clink glasses during a toast if you aren't drinking alcohol.
• DON'T eat until the host invites you to begin.
• DO rest your wrists at the edge of the table.
• DON'T refuse a dish. Try everything and save room for seconds. Turning down food could be seen as rude.
• DON'T leave an empty bottle on a table. It's considered bad luck.

Gifts

• DON'T open a gift upon receipt. Open it later.
• DON'T give yellow flowers or bouquets of flowers in an even number. Even numbers of flowers are for funerals.
• DON'T feel the need to give an expensive gift. Thoughtfulness is the most important thing.
• DON'T give white Easter lilies. They are for funerals.
• DO wrap the present nicely.
• DO give tickets to an opera or concert, if you can obtain them. It would really impress the recipient!

Visting Someone's Home

• DO take your shoes off, and make sure your socks don't have holes in them!
• DON'T put your feet on the furniture.
• DO bring a gift such as dessert, wine, flowers, or something from your hometown.
• DO bring a gift for the children.
• DO dress casually.

Business

• DO have one side of your business card translated into Ukrainian.
• DO include any advanced academic degrees on your business card.
• DO expect business meetings to occur during meals, including meals at a Ukrainian's home.
• DO be patient and realize that doing business in the Ukraine can take longer than what you might be used to.
• DO engage in small talk in the beginning of a meeting. Safe topics include computers, cars, and soccer.
• DO be punctual.
• DO make appointments as far in advance as you can. Ukrainians take last-minute meetings less seriously.

Other

• DON'T make a fist with your thumb in between your middle and index finger. It's considered a very vulgar gesture.
• DON'T tap your temple with your index finger. It means "crazy."
• DON'T gesture to someone with your index finger. That is only acceptable if beckoning a little kid or a dog.
• DON'T stand with your hands in your pockets.
• DON'T ever hand anything or shake hands over a threshold. It's considered really bad luck.
• DO greet with a strong handshake along with direct eye contact.
• DO know the more informal greetings. Close female friends will cheek kiss three times, starting with the left cheek. Close male friends pat each other on the back and hug.
• DON'T shake hands over a threshold.
• DON'T shake hands with gloves on. Remove them first.
• DON'T confuse Ukraine with Russia or Ukrainians with Russians.
• DO understand that feminism is a little behind in Ukraine. Married women are taken more seriously than single women, and men still hold most of the high ranking jobs. Men will usually hold a door open for women, pour their drinks, light their cigarettes, etc.
• DO understand that smoking is common in Ukraine. If you smoke, it's polite to offer cigarettes to those around you.
• DO behave conservatively when in public. Don't be too loud.
• DON'T discuss politics.
• DON'T use slang or profanity.
• DO ask permission before photographing someone. Some ethnic groups may decline due to religious reasons and gypsies may try to charge you money.